Phil Mickelson is three shots off Tiger Woods' lead entering the third round of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship on Saturday. / Scott Halleran, Getty Images

by Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY Sports

by Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY Sports

DORAL, Fla. - Expect some scoreboard watching from Phil Mickelson on Saturday at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

That's because Mickelson wants a piece of Tiger Woods on Sunday.

Woods, who has delivered 17 birdies in the first two rounds at the TPC Blue Monster, is at 13 under par, two shots ahead of Graeme McDowell, three better than Mickelson.

"I hope that (Saturday) that I play a good round and so does (Woods), and we get a chance to get paired together in Sunday's final round, because he seems to somehow bring out my best golf," Mickelson said.

Woods and Mickelson have been paired together 32 times (31 in official PGA Tour events), and Woods leads 15-13-4 in those head-to-heads. The last time they played together in a final round was Pebble Beach in 2012, and Mickelson routed Woods (64-75) on the way to victory. In 2005 at Doral, Mickelson chased Woods to the wire in the final round, but Woods ended up on top (66-69).

Golf Channel and NBC wouldn't complain about that scenario.

McDowell, however, would be more than happy to spoil that party.

"I've played with Tiger many times, many stages," McDowell said. "I feel like I've learned a lot over the years playing with him. (Saturday) is not about winning the golf tournament. (Saturday) is just about maintaining position, maintaining the way I'm playing and trying to give myself a chance come Sunday afternoon."

The back of the pack already is on the course (follow along with Golfweek's Round 3 tracker). Here are the leaders' tee times (ET):

ALSO: Rory McIlroy, who righted the ship somewhat on Friday with a 3-under 69, plays Saturday with Ernie Els. They teed off at 10:35. McIlroy was scuffling a bit again on Saturday, 2 over through 11 holes.